Sex, Lies & Family Ties

Sex, Lies and Family Ties by Sarah J Graham

ISBN 978-0-9532260-7-8

By 1970, nineteen-year-old Carol has begun to finally make sense of her life. She rides a motorbike, drinks cider and has smoked her first joint, and experienced danger – and on the day that Jim dies, Carol Hopcraft dances a jig in Mrs. Hamilton’s hallway. When she learns of Jim’s death, all the pain of the past floods back to haunt her.

Her friend Jacqueline, whom she has relied on for so long, now has life-changing issues as she comes to terms with her own sexuality. Mad Frankie offers her the use of his van for the great rescue, his friendship and more. Meanwhile, Carol has to face up to the emotions bubbling back home, the constant jabbing and feinting between the teenager and her mother that has far more sinister roots than her friends imagine.

And another Jim’s death – that of Jimi Hendrix – hangs over her like a dark cloud.

Running along with this is a series of cameos from Carol’s past, from the days of innocence through to the time she lost her childhood and learned to grow up fast. Despite its dark subject matter this is also a story tinged with the wry humour of a young woman taking control of her own destiny.

Cover art by Steve Upham

A dark and gritty tale that focuses upon a handful of days in the life of a teenager in the 1970s and how those few days bring with them change and closure. Well written, compelling and deliciously dark. The sense of betrayal at the end was as sharp as a harridan’s tongue. I’d recommend this book even to those not old enough to remember the era as there’s very little to alienate a younger reader. The setting may be the ’70s but the story and content is still pertinent to society and the coming of age today. –– Barry Lillie